Sheet-type elevator apparatus for standard bathtubs

ABSTRACT

A SHEET-TYPE ELEVATOR APPARATUS FOR USE BY ELDERELY OR INCAPACITATED PERSONS, AND WHICH DOES NOT REQUIRE ANY ALTERATION OF STANDARD OR CONVENTIONAL BATHTUB, OR ANY MOUNTING TO THE WALL OR FLOOR. AN ADJUSTABLE RECTANGULAR FRAME IS MOUNTED ON THE RIM OF THE TUBV, AND HAS MOUNTED THEREON IN PARALLEL RELATIONSHIP TWO ROLLER OR SPINDLE ELEMENTS FOR THE SHEET. AN ADJUSTABLE HOUSING IS PROVIDED AT ONE END OF THE FRAME AND SUPPORTS A HYDRAULIC MOTOR WHICH IS CONNECTED THROUGH WORM GEARING TO THE ROLLER ELEMENTS TO OPERATE THE SAME. CONTROL VALVES AND PROVIDED ON A HANDRAIL, OVER THE FRAME, IN ORDER TO EFFECT THE REQUISITE OPERATION OF THE MOTOR TO LOWER OR RAISE THE PERSON USING THE APPARATUS. A BLACKREST IS MOUNTED ON THE FRAME AND ON THE HOUSING AND AIDS IN ELEVATING OR LOWERING THE USER AND IN MAKING THE USER MORE CONFORTABLE WHILE IN THE BATHTUB.

SHEET-TYPE ELEVATOR APPARATUS on STANDARD BATHTUBS Filed 001;. 29, 1968 June 1, 1971 E. A. PETERSEN 2 Sheets-Sheet;

3 \\\\w\\ v 3 I V o z b W 3 5 fl z 6 2 w m E M H h 7 4 2 3 v/3 n 2 G m H M E a H a, a x 9 H a Z w o a o 'INVENTOR EDWARD I). PETERSEN Anne/vars June 1, 1-971 E. A. PETER$EN SHEETTYPE ELEVATOR APPARATUS FOR STANDARD BATHTUBS Filed 061;. 29, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WA TEE saunas FIGS 47 INVENTOR [ow/9R0 A. Perzwsew x a oexvars United States Patent *Oihce 3,581,316 SHEET-TYPE ELEVATOR APPARATUS FOR STANDARD BATHTUBS Edward A. Petersen, Westminster, Calif., assignor to Ted W. Babbel, Grand Junction, Colo., and Richard A.

Townsend and Ronald C. Townsend, both of Santa Ana,

Califl, a fractional part interest to each Filed Oct. 29, 1968, Ser. No. 771,557 Int. Cl. A47k 3/12 US. Cl. 4-185 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A sheet-type elevator apparatus for use by elderly or incapacitated persons, and which does not require any alteration of a standard or conventional bathtub, or any mounting to the wall or floor. An adjustable rectangular frame is mounted on the rim of the tub, and has mounted thereon in parallel relationship two roller or spindle elements for the sheet. An adjustable housing is provided at one end of the frame and supports a hydraulic motor which is connected through worm gearing to the roller elements to operate the same. Control valves are provided on a handrail, over the frame, in order to eflfect the requisite operation of the motor to lower or raise the person using the apparatus. A blackrest is mounted on the frame and on the housing and aids in elevating or lowering the user and in making the user more comfortable while in the bathtub.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to the held of appliances or elevators for use by elderly or incapacitated persons in order to permit them to lower themselves into a convention bathtub or raise themselves out of such tub.

Description of the prior art Numerous attempts have been made to devise apparatus for lowering and raising individuals into and out of bathtubs, for example as shown by one or more of the following patents: 2,045,110, 2,123,398, 2,242,939, 2,624,053, 2,754,523 and 2,788,527. However, such apparatus has been characterized by one or more of the following factors; insuflicient safety, impracticality, the need for special bathtubs, the need for connections to the wall or floor adjacent the tub, diificulty of cleaning, inability to render sanitary, etc. There exists a great need for a practical, safe, sanitary, readily-cleaned bathtub elevator apparatus which may be manufactured at minimum expense and used in conjunction with standard, existing bathtubs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a horizontal frame which is adjustable in size and is adapted to be mounted on the rim of a conventional bathtub. At one end of the frame, in a power housing, is a hydraulic motor adapted to rotate two worms which are respectively geared to worm Wheels at the ends of rollers or spindles for a supporting sheet. Means are provided to control the flow of water or other fluid to the hydraulic motor, such means being located within easy reach of the user of the apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing the elevator apparatus of the present invention as mounted on a conventioned bathtub;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section taken generally along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse section on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3 but showing the sheet in it lowered position;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view on line 5-5 of FIG. 1, but after unwinding of the sheet;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view on line 6-6 of FIG. 1, but showing spacers between the frame and the power housing;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view on line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view on line 8--8 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the hydraulic system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The elevator apparatus of the present invention is illustrated as employed in conjunction with a standard, conventional bathtub 10 having an upper rim 11. The tub is mounted in conventional manner, on a floor 12 and at the intersection of two walls 13 and 14, one of the wall (number 14) having the usual valves 16 and spout 17 therein.

The apparatus comprises a horizontal, elongated, rectangular frame 18 adapted to rest on the rim 11 of the tub 10. Frame 18 has telescopic joints 19 therein adapted to permit variation in the width of the frame to fit tubs of various widths. The frame is illustrated as being formed of square-sectioned metal tubing, for example stainless steel, but it is to be understood that at least a portion of the frame (remote from the valves 16 and spout 17) may be formed of a horizontal metal plate.

Mounted transversely at the end of frame 18 remote from the valves and spout 16 and 17 is an elongated horizontal power housing 20. Such housing is illustrated as being rectangular in shape, and may be made of stainless steel. The central part of housing 20 is formed as two telescopically related portions adapted to permit adjustment of the length of the housing in accordance with the width of the tub 10 (and thus of the rectangular frame 18).

Suitable means are provided to mount housing 20 on the end of frame 18 in such manner that vertical adjustment of the housing may be effected. For example, and as indicated in FIG. 6, such mounting may be effected by a plurality of cap screws 21 which extend downwardly through the bottom wall of housing 20 and are threaded into the frame 18. Spacers 22 (FIG. 6) are provided in order to determine the vertical spacing between the frame 18 and the bottom wall of the housing. It is pointed out that spacers and cap screws of different lengths may be employed to thus effect the desired degree of spacing. Furthermore, it is to be noted that in the showings of FIGS. 1, 2, etc., no spacers 22 are provided since the housing is seated on the frame 18..

Suitable means, such as screws, are provided to lock the frame 18 and housing 20 in any adjusted position. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, lip or skirt means 23 are fixedly mounted on the interior vertical surfaces of the longitudinal components of the frame 18, and extend downwardly into the tub 10 in order to insure against undesired lateral movement of the frame and associated elements.

A backrest 25, for example formed of rubber-coated or plastic-coated plywood, is suitably mounted on the frame and/or on the power housing 20. In the illustrated form, support brackets 26 are secured to and extend upwardly from housing 20 for vertical adjustment therewith, and are secured by means of screws to the backrest 25. The backrest also rests upon an upper edge of the power housing, for bracing thereby. It is to be understood that other means of mounting the backrest may be employed, for example suitable screw and slot connections to the power housing 20 alone (brackets 26 being omitted). The mounting means for the backrest should be such that it may be removed from the tub for cleaning purposes.

The method of mounting the backrest on brackets 26 is such that the vertical position of the backrest in the tub may be altered. Thus, for example, a plurality of vertically spaced openings are provided in the backrest in order to Selectively receive screws which extend through portions of brackets 26.

Mounted, as by welding, to the corners of frame 18 adjacent elements 16-17 are vertical support posts 27. The illustrated posts are angle irons having a plurality of vertically spaced openings 28 therein for reception of bolts at different desired elevations. Such bolts secure bearings 29 to the posts 27, and also secure to the inner one of such posts (adjacent wall 13) one end of a horizontal support and control rail 31. Rail 31 is parallel to, and spaced above, the inner one of two spindle shafts next to be described.

Each bearing 29 rotatably receives one end of a horizontal spindle or roller shaft 32. Such shafts 32 extend, respectively, in spaced and parallel relationship above the longitudinal sides of frame 18. The shafts are journaled, at their ends remote from posts 27, in bearings 30 provided in the end portions of power housing 20 (FIG. 8). The end of the support and control or hand rail 31, remote from the post 27 to which it is mounted, is also secured to power housing 20 at a region above the innermost shaft 32 and as shown in FIG. 8.

Each spindle shaft 32 is hollow, but is formed in such manner that no substantial amount of water may enter therein. Referring to FIG. 5, each of the two shafts 32 has a re-entrant portion 33 which communicates through an elongated relatively narrow slot 34 with the ambient region outside the shaft. The elongated chamber 33a thus formed within re-entrant portion 33 is adapted to receive an enlarged edge portion 36 of a support sheet 37. The edge portion is enlarged as by securing a rope thereto.

It follows that the sheet 37 may be rapidly mounted on, and demounted from, the spindle shafts 32 by merely inserting the ends of enlarged edge portions 36 into the ends of chambers 33a, and then passing the edge portions 36 completely into the chambers. Such insertion is possible due to the fact that the ends of the several shafts 32 are reduced in diameter as indicated at 32a. The shoulder between each small-diameter shaft portion 32a and the relatively large central portion of the shaft (on which the sheet 37 is wound) is closed in such manner as to prevent entrance of water into the main body of the hollow shaft. Although water may enter each chamber 3311, it is small in amount and readily drained therefrom.

The sheet 37 is formed of a suitable strong and flexible material. Preferably, the sheet is formed of nylon coated with Teflon.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, sheet 37 extends nearly the full length of the frame and has a free end spaced from power housing 20 and the adjacent end of frame 18 so as to provide a space to receive the fixed backrest therebetween. The backrest extends substantially vertically through this space, between the spindle shafts 32, from a point adjacent the bottom of the bathtub to a point extending above the frame 18 and above the housing 20, thus providing support for a bather in sitting position on the sheet throughout all movement of the sheet.

Proceeding next to a description of the means for rotating the spindle shafts 32 about the longitudinal axes thereof, thereby winding up or unrolling the sheet 37, this comprises worm wheels 38 (FIG. 6) which are suitably keyed or otherwise nonrotatably secured to the ends of shafts 32 in the power housing. Worm wheels 38 mesh with worms 39 mounted on relatively short, splined shafts 41 (FIGS. 6 and 7). Shafts 41, in turn, telescope into elongated splined openings in the ends of a shaft 42 which extends longitudinally of the power housing and is adapted to be rotated by a hydraulic motor 43. The motor 43 is fixedly mounted to one wall of power housing 20 (FIG. 6) and is supplied with fluid as will be described hereinafter.

The bearings 30 (for the shafts 32) are associated with housings 30a for the worm wheels 38 and worms 39. The bearings 30 and housings 30a are securely bolted to power housing 20. The portions of small shafts 41 within the housings 30a have collars 30b thereon in order to prevent any motion of shafts 41 toward or away from motor 43. Thus, although the worms 39 may rotate about their axes, translational movement of said worms is prevented. Accordingly, the worms 39 prevent rotation of worm wheels 38 and shafts 32 except during periods when the worms are being rotated by motor 43.

Because of the splined relationship indicated in FIG. 7, the short shafts 41 and thus worms 39 are rotated together with the motor-driven shaft 42, thus operating the worm wheels 38 and spindle shafts 32. The telescopic, splined relationship between shafts 41 and 42 permits the driving connection to be maintained regardless of the adjusted condition of the elongated power housing 20, that is to say, regardless of whether the housing 20 is adjusted for a relatively narrow bathtub 10 or for a relatively wide bathtub.

The worm gearing is so related that one of the shafts 32 is always driven in a direction opposite to the direction of driving of the other shaft 32.

Referring next to the hydraulic circuit diagram of FIG. 9, water is supplied from a suitable source 46 to a shutoff and flow-control valve 47, thence through a flowreversing valve 48 to one side of hydraulic motor 43, thence from the other side of motor 43 back to the flowreversing valve 48, and thence to a suitable drain indicated at 50. The various hoses or conduits used in the above-indicated hydraulic circuit are represented at 51.

Shutoif valve 47 and flow reversing valve 48 are, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, mounted in the combination support and control rail 31 at a location convenient for access by the user. The water source 46 is preferably a T-element connected into the water supply to the washbowl or sink in the bathroom in which the tube 10 is located. The drain 50 is preferably a fitting which is threaded into a drilled and tapped hole in the drain from such washbowl.

OPERATION The apparatus is installed on the tub 10 by merely setting the frame 18 on the tub rim 11 as indicated above, and then connecting supply and drain hoses 51 to the washbowl as stated. The elevations of the rollers 32 and handrail 31 are adjusted in accordance with the desires of the user, by raising or lowering the bearings 29 on posts 27, and by raising or lowering the power housing 20 and the backrest 25.

The tube 10 is first filled, to a desired level, with water from spout 17. As shown in FIG. 2, sheet 37 is sufficiently short to prevent interference with water from the spout.

Assuming that the sheet 37 is initially in the taut condition illustrated in FIGS. l3, the user first sits on the stretched sheet 37 and then lifts his legs onto the sheet, this being a perfectly safe operation due to the fact that both of the spindle shafts 32 are maintained locked (as described above) due to the relationship between the 'worms 39 and worm wheel 38.

Shutoff valve 47 is then turned to open position, and the flow-reversing valve 48 is turned to such position that water from and adjacent washbowl flows through motor 43 in a direction effecting turning of both spindle shafts 32 to reduce the tension on the sheet 37 The sheet, with the user supported thereon, is thus progressively lowered into the tub. While the sheet is thus being lowered, the backrest 25 is highly useful in maintaining the stability of the user and in preventing contact with the power housing 20. After the desired degree of lowering has been effected (for example to the position shown in FIG. 4), valve 47 is shifted to shutoff position, and valve 48 is reversed by turning the same counterclockwise 90 degrees from the position indicated in FIG. 9.

After bathing, the user again opens the shutoff valve 47 and thereby causes reverse operation of motor 43 to progressively tighten the sheet 37 (and thus lift the bather) until the sheet is again in the relatively taut condition illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. The cycle is then complete, the operator having been safely lowered into the tub and thereafter raised therefrom.

As previously noted, the sheet 37 is readily removed from the slots in shafts 32 for cleaning purposes. Furthermore, the backrest 25 is likewise readily removable. These are important features, particularly in rest homes where it is desired to effect disinfection between use by different individuals.

Because of the fact that the motor 43 is operated by tapwater, the cost of the apparatus is minimized. Very importantly, there is no danger of electric shock.

The present apparatus is extremely easy to get onto and off, even from a wheel chair. Mounting and dismounting are facilitated by the backrest, which provides support for the bathers back even when the sheet is in its uppermost position. Further, the substantially full longitudinal extent of the sheet provides support for the uncontrolled and otherwise unsupported legs of a paraplegic bather, thus additionally facilitating mounting and demounting. The apparatus is readily cleaned and disinfected, does not harm the tub in any manner, and need not be built into the tub or wall.

The apparatus is usable by numerous people, including paraplegics, amputees, persons with severe arthritis, persons with severe cardiac conditions, etc. Very importantly, the individual can normally perform all operations, himself, so that he is able to bathe in privacy.

The location of the control valves 47 and 48 on rail 31 is particularly advantageous for various types of users, including certain types of paraplegics. The rail 31 performs the important function of aiding paralyzed individuals and others to get on and off the apparatus. If desired, suitable helper straps may be mounted above the apparatus.

I claim:

1. A sheet-type elevator apparatus for use in conjunction with conventional bathtubs, which comprises:

an elongated rectangular frame supportable on the rim of said conventional bathtub and extending substantially the full length thereof,

first and second bearing means mounted on said frame in spaced relationship from one end thereof,

said first and second bearing means being on opposite side of said frame',

third and fourth bearing means mounted at said one end of said frame and, respectively, on opposite sides of said frame,

a first spindle shaft journaled in said first and third bearing means and extending longitudinally of said frame above one longitudinal edge of the tub,

a second spindle shaft journaled in said second and fourth bearing means and extending longitudinally of said frame above the other longitudinal edge of the tub,

a sheet extending across the tub and having opposite edge portions secured to said spindle shafts for winding of said sheet thereon,

said sheet extending nearly the full length of said frame and having one edge thereof adjacent to and spaced from said one end of said frame, worm wheels nonrotatably mounted on said spindle shafts adjacent said one end of said frame,

a motor fixedly mounted at said one end of said frame,

shaft means extending from said motor to the vicinity of said worm wheels,

worms nonrotatably mounted on said shaft means and respectively meshed with said worm wheels for driving thereof,

means to effect operation of said motor in such manner as to drive said shafts alternately in opposite directions for winding and unwinding of said sheet between an upper position wherein the sheet extends across the top of said bathtub and a lower position wherein it lies on the bottom of said bath tub, and a backrest fixed to said one end of said frame,

said backrest extending between said spindle shafts and positioned between said one edge of said sheet and said one end of said frame, said backrest having a substantially vertical extent from a point adjacent the bottom of said bathtub to a point sufficiently above said upper position of said sheet to support a bather on said sheet in sitting position during mounting and dismounting from said sheet and throughout all movement of said sheet between said upper and lower positions,

whereby the back of bather resting upon the sheet will slide along said fixed backrest during movement of said sheet.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, in which an elongated housing is fixedly mounted at said one end of said frame and extends between opposite sides of said frame, said power housing enclosing said motor, said shaft means, said worm wheels and said worms.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, in which means are provided to adjust the width of said frame to correspond to tubs of different widths.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, in which means are provided to adjust the width of said frame to correspond to tub of different widths, and in which an elongated power housing is mounted at said one end of said frame, said power housing being adjustable in length in accordance with the width adjustment of said frame.

5. The device as claimed in claim 1, in which means are provided to adjust the width of said frame to correspond to tubs of different widths, and in which said shaft means are adjustable in length in accordance with the width adjustment of said frame.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1, in which means are provided to vertically adjust said first, second, third and fourth bearing means above said frame in order to regulate the height of said spindle shafts and thus the height of said sheet when in taut condition.

7. The device as claimed in claim 1, in which an elongated power housing is fixedly mounted at said one end of said frame and extends between opposite sides of said frame, said power housing enclosing said motor, said backrest being fixed to and depending from said power housing into said bathtub.

8. The device as claimed in claim 1, in which each of said first and second spindle shafts is hollow and has a hollow re-entrant portion which communicates through an elongated slot with the ambient region surrounding the shaft, said re-entrant portion being connected in sealing engagement with the interior of its shaft to prevent entrance of substantial amounts of water into said shaft, and in which said sheet has enlarged portions at each edge thereof retained within said re-entrant shaft portions.

9. The device as claimed in claim 1, in which said motor is a hydraulic motor, and in which conduit and control means are provided to effect flow of liquid through said hydraulic motor whereby to rotate said spindle shafts alternately in opposite directions for winding and unwinding of said sheet.

10. The device as claimed in claim 1, in which a rigid handrail is mounted in spaced relationship above said frame and on the side of said frame above the inner 7 longitudinal edge of the tub, said handrail being fixedly connected at opposite ends thereof to opposite ends of said frame.

11. The device as claimed in claim 10, in which control means are provided in said handrail, said control means being connected to said motor for operation thereof in forward and reverse directions.

12. The device as claimed in claim 1, in which means are provided to prevent translational movement of said worms, whereby to lock said worm wheels and spindle shafts against rotation except during periods when said worms are driven by said motor.

13. A sheet-type elevator apparatus for use in conjunction with conventional bathtubs, which comprises:

an elongated rectangular frame supportable on the rim of said conventional bathtub and extending substantially the full length thereof,

first and second bearing means mounted on said frame in spaced relation from one end thereof,

said first and second bearing means being on opposite sides of said frame,

third and fourth bearing means mounted at the opposite end of said frame and, respectively, on opposite sides of said frame,

a first spindle shaft journaled in said first and third bearing means and extending longitudinally of said frame above one longitudinal edge of the tub and entirely outside of the inner periphery of said tub,

a second spindle shaft journaled in said second and fourth bearing means and extending longitudinally of said frame above the other longitudinal edge of the tub and entirely outside of the inner periphery of said tub,

a sheet extending across the tub having opposite edge portions detachably secured to said spindle shafts for winding of said sheet thereon,

said sheet extending nearly the full length of said frame and having an edge thereof adjacent to and spaced from said one end of said frame, worm wheels nonrotatably mounted on said spindle shafts adjacent said one end of said frame,

a power housing mounted at said one end of said frame,

upstanding therefrom and extending completely outside of the inner periphery of said bathtub,

a motor fixedly mounted in said power housing,

shaft means extending within said housing from said motor to the vicinity of said worm wheels,

worms nonrotatably mounted on said shaft means and respectively meshed with said worm wheels for driving thereof, and

means to effect operation of said motor in such manner as to drive said shafts alternately in opposite directions for winding and unwinding of said sheet.

14. A sheet-type elevator apparatus as set forth in claim 13, in which a handrail is mounted in spaced relation above said frame and on the side of said frame above the inner longitudinal edge of the tub, said handrail being fixedly connected at opposite ends thereof to opposite ends of said frame and extending entirely outside of the inner periphery of the tub, and control means mounted in said handrail and connected to said motor for operation thereof in forward and reverse directions.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,263,611 4/1918 Scroggin 4185 1,765,074 6/1930 Hooper 4177 2,045,110 6/1936 Spiess 4-185 2,242,939 5/1941 Buckel 4185 2,314,044 3/1943 Hunting 4-185 2,361,474 10/1944 Gross 4185 2,788,527 4/1957 Steven 4185 2,968,814 1/1961 Ashby, Jr. 4185 3,078,473 2/ 1963 Daniels 4-185 3,187,350 6/1965 Steven 4185 FOREIGN PATENTS 690,526 6/1930 France 4177 LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner D. B. MASSENBERG, Assistant Examiner 

